Tonight

We put Cole to bed early and watched Labyrinth (I have been waiting to share this one with my big kids, and they really liked it!) When Adam works late Friday, sometimes I let these two stay up with me. They wanted to fall asleep in our bed after the movie, so I let them. Heard lots of whispering, now they're asleep. Nice night spent together.

Seeing Fours

Twin Day at school today. In our case we had quadruplets, thanks to a couple moms who organized it.

Mya, Audrey, Callie, Presley

Plus Audrey wore her first ponytail to school today ever. Hair is getting longer - pretty exciting stuff for her.

 And the boys - Alec, Kaleb, Noah, and Tyler in their Lego Zombie shirts after school:

Rest of the Weekend

We had such a nice anniversary weekend. Snuck away and saw the Jack Ryan movie Saturday night. Friday, when he was working his 14 hour day, Adam surprised me with flowers and a mommy-break. Told me to drop the kids at Amber's (he planned it with her ahead of time - thank you Amber!) He made an appointment for me to get my nails done, and money for dinner at Panera. I felt really thought of, and spoiled. I don't need things like that all the time - but truly it meant a lot.

Quick shout out to a great etsy shop. Adam had been wanting an "I Am A Child of God" sign to go over the door to the garage for quite some time. I got in touch with the owner of this wonderful shop and we came up with this:

Surprised Adam with it on our anniversary. Such a cool reminder when we leave the house each day. It's been fun celebrating ten. Hoping our Disney trip for two goes without a hitch next week.

A Decade

I've known this guy 12 years this month, and today we celebrate 10 years married.

I'm not sure I can say what ten years has taught me because most days I feel like I'm in the thick of it all. I know I've learned to surrender, to lean on my Heavenly Father and if God is not part of my marriage we will not. run. right. I've been taught big lessons in humility (!!), forgiveness, commitment, and what it means to show up every single day and work. My marriage isn't perfect, and hopefully I've never given the impression that it is. We do have joyous, wonderful, romantic times. I could list all of Adam's awesome qualities (there are quite a few), and the incredible memories we've shared over ten years (a ton!). But where we are at this place and time I am more bare bones about it all. Real, messy, nitty gritty, open, vulnerable, and basking in the beauty of that. I love this from Momastery. Rings true for me right now:

Like the Velveteen Rabbit – maybe neither people nor marriages become Real until the shine and newness rubs off and they look ugly and worn out to the rest of the world but real and soft and comforting and lovely to the one who holds them. - See more at: http://momastery.com/blog/2013/10/02/life-freaking-brutiful/#sthash.CkCcYUxo.dpuf

"Like the Velveteen Rabbit – maybe neither people nor marriages become real until the shine and newness rubs off and they look ugly and worn out to the rest of the world, but real and soft and comforting and lovely to the one who holds them."

Here's to double digits! This weekend we celebrate at the movies. Planning a trip to Disneyland - just the two of us - in about a week. Adam's spoiling me plenty today, and got me this new wedding band - a diamond a year. Pretty wonderful!

A Few Photos

Photo dump off my phone from this past week. Kiddos at Chuck E. Cheese, enjoying the last day of vacation:

Fuzzy, but Tyler and his karate class practicing for their next belt test.

Audrey and her cute friend Presley from Kindergarten. Adam took them to a birthday party at this cool trampoline place.

Swinging pirate with sword in hand!

Today I roasted my first whole turkey ever, and it was delicious! Made gravy from scratch for the first time, too, and it's scary how proud I am about all this.

It's been a good week and we are settled back into routine - just in time for a three day weekend.

Love x 3

A lot of me and these three this week. Last night Adam and I were talking about motherhood and working. Truly being home with these three is the most meaningful job I've ever had. Lifetime investment. Plus I haven't showered all day and they seem a-okay with that, which I think is a big bonus. Obviously Audrey's the best one at looking at the camera.

Re-entry

Back to school

Back to Ladybug

Back to Sam & Cat

Winter break we miss you, but Back to Life Day = Success.

More Goings On

Yesterday the kids stayed in pajamas almost all day, playing in their bedroom Legoland. Toys everywhere, as it should be the last week of winter break. Adam and I tag-teamed as we ran errands, I got a cavity filled, and had some church meetings to attend.

This morning I went to the mall by myself, then met up with Adam and kids to feed the ducks, and lunch at CPK - a gift card from Uncle Ryan.

Just like last year! Good looking bunch.

Still Off

Last week of holiday for all five of us. The break has had its ups and downs, but we are so lucky to have this time off, all together. Tyler caught Cole's croup, so he's had a rough couple days. Laryngitis and cough still lingering. Yesterday all he and Audrey wanted to do was Menchie's. Adam and I were lucky enough to sneak another date night, including dinner at Katsu-ya. Sooo good - I've been craving it for months. Could live off the sauteed green beans and cajun salmon roll. Came home to Gravity - really enjoying holing up at night with our screeners.

My ice-cream lovers

Today we hit the aquarium, taking advantage of our season passes that expire in February. Great day to be there - pretty empty, beautiful weather.

A photo of the five of us! Hardly ever happens.

Cutie pie

Tyler wanted a picture of this trick:

Pooped out post-aquarium. This is how Cole always falls asleep - with favorite blankie in mouth.

Looking forward to the rest of the week (minus a trip to the dentist for me). We'll be ready to get back to life next week.

Stuff I Made

We ate well this holiday. Missed a few favorites (pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, Adam's toffee). Here are a few things we tried this year:

Candy Cane Joe-Joe Truffles with crushed candy canes on top - easy and a keeper for sure.

Peppermint Kiss Brownie Bites. These were good, not necessarily a keeper, and I botched a batch.

Grilled steaks, garlic mashed potatoes, spinach salad and yummy rolls for Christmas dinner. Adam helped with this one. Love that we grilled outside on Christmas Day!

My Grandma Currie's apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Devoured and no leftovers! So easy, too, I need to remember to make it more often.

Homemade Salsa for New Year's Eve. Yummy, and easy to make in the blendtec. Too spicy for my kids, though. Thinking it could be fun to find my family's favorite homemade salsa recipe this year.

Sparkling Cider with fresh pomegranate.

New Year's Day Jambalaya. Gotta add black-eyed peas for good luck.

Now who's ready for a juice or smoothie cleanse!? I sure am. Adam's been making me his favorite smoothie for breakfast this week: Almond butter, banana, spinach, GNC chocolate protein powder, and lots of ice.

Zoo Day

Gorgeous day here today - 70s and beautiful. Met up with the Snows at the zoo. After that the McCoys showed up. Ran into the Champions, the Denkes, and one of my favorite Ladybug families, too. Great day to be at the zoo.

Ouch, 2014

This year is starting a bit rough. Hope the next week and a half of holiday treats us better. We are sleep deprived thanks to Cole's battle with croup the past two nights. Adam is fighting a bad cold. Man, we are tired. Audrey and I hit the mall this morning to get some fresh air, and use Christmas gift cards - Claire's and Sephora. Fun to shop, just the girls. She got the purse for Christmas, too, and loves it.